bob budd

Groton, Ma still has an annual cardboard canoe regatta. This boat clearly assembles faster as the contestants take an hour and more to build their boats. It also looks better than a cardboard-and-duck-tape boat and probably lasts longer on the water.

We put in at the CRCK landing (terminus of the ROTC) and went to the pier but were met with hostility by the hotel a few summers ago. One employee was friendly but we were clearly not welcome. We didn't call ahead, maybe that was it. The winter trip was a tradition of a prior regime that has not carried forward and I never participated in, I believe the destination was the Barking Crab and the tale including sloshing into the restaurant as snow/ice melted off the suits and sitting next to well dressed diners. As for the route along the way one can paddle into the Galleria Mall fountain and also paddle up to the "Use of Lethal Force Authorized" signs where the Constitution is often moored. The trip includes going through the locks, no doubt a unique view of downtown Boston. Also, and relevant to "Sea Ice", on at least one occasion the group returned to the challenge of frozen spray skirts, etc.

If you are over water and you break through the ice your ankle can be the least of your worries, especially if you are looking up and having trouble the hole you broke through. Again you are unlikely to encounter that sort of ice. As regards months paddled with a dry suit and proper layers you should consider any and all months, personally if it weren't for long days and swimming I might not paddle in the summer given the crowds and traffic. I find winter second only to the fall and prefer to miss winds at and above 20 kts any time of year.

On land ice presents risk mostly for slipping and falling (or a boat sliding into the water). Ice over water is subject to air pockets, etc. There appears to be a consensus you will not encounter ice over water. Testing stoves and tents/bags in similar conditions is also worthwhile.

Since you asked about sea ice I thought I'd add the following. One thing that can happen with ice is that broken ice can wash into a put-in and block your return (or departure). Also, you can carry dowels with nails or other means to drag a boat over the ice to spread your weight over a large surface area as breaking through the ice is indeed the greatest peril. As regards comments about cold weather I would also suggest you consider non-cooked foods to remove the stove from your list of risks and items to carry, perhaps including a jet boil or two for hot tea, coffee, soup.

Hmmm...bearded recluse seeks woman missing (spray) skirt...

I don't know Cambridge very well but I interviewed at one of the taller office buildings a few years ago and you could launch from their parking lot into the Charles. For outer harbour you want to go to Deer Island, you can land on any outer harbour island but watch for channels and boats - especially high speed ferries. For inner harbour you want City Point, there are islands you are not supposed land on there and storied destinations like Hayman's/Hangman's Island.

Alas, as with so many things, the most enduring part of the Dry Salvages y may well be the guano.

Never met the guy but he had a part in my eventually paddling with whales and seals and doing other such fun stuff. I also wouldn't have known someone would do cartwheels in skis.

I would try silicon lubricant, then perhaps customer service. We all get better with age but this sort of interface would be expected to improve with use (and degrade with lack of use). It also bears noting that a spare paddle lashed repeatedly to the deck will build up salt and perhaps become unmatable (so should be rinsed - unless you use a storm paddle).

It has not been my experience that municipalities relax their regulations under seasonal or other conditions. Consider also that they may not plow the parking area that they presently "provide" and that there could be no parking when you arrive.

Goretex (not latex) booties, relief zipper, no hood (aural and visual limiting), can't imagine pockets anywhere except on the arms that would be of use, never had an integrated tunnel and never missed it. We own one Kokatat and one Palm, both excellent quailty, were buying a second Palm and switched to Kokatat for delivery.

Sculling from an inverted boat puts one in a position to right the boat with a hip snap and/or downward pressure on the paddle. Extended paddle sculling generally increases buoyancy and leverage.

There is reason to believe that "bug spray", especially DEET. DEET acts to harden rubber.

Rubber degrades because sun rays harden the material, robbing it of elasticity. It would follow that sun block would block these rays and slow the degradation of rubber. I am unaware of any specific science on the subject and am not advocating applying sunblock liberallly to your gaskets. Instead I use and recommend 303.

I won't get into whether I think learning to roll is difficult or easy, nor that a greenland paddle, extended paddle, etc. helps. Instead I would suggest that assistance from "extras" like a paddle float extend time in the water and are best avoided. If you are paddling alone then its up to you what you do to keep safe but when you are paddling with others assisted rescues are going to be the best methods.

I have spinnaker shackles at one end that ties to a transom of sorts, a rope behind the cockpit with a quick release. The shackles are eternal, or at least have lasted through many 'biners at the other end, but I still 'biners for ease of use. Stuff that breaks is a reason to venture north and get growled at by Joel.

Short tow has two 'biners and tied as shown in the link, the name escapes me at my age. At the short length is serves also as a stirrup. Not sure I've ever used it unwrapped for towing as I also carry a long tow. Untied can be used to tie top a boat without lines for towing, neat trick that, no videos I know of but Uncle Scott used to teach it. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zdRPe2G2dTM

I just had a flashback...to Chris Perkins driving into work with his boat on his SUV. Chris was a club founder and instead of working at the company it turns out he was building the first club website. I think he still lives in Danvers and plays the trombone.

At 200 ft your chances inside are much better than a "swan dive".

Having a radio in your hatch is pretty much not having a radio as demonstrated in Leon's "lesson". With that I will admit that I started by keeping the radio on the deck and on then and have slipped to no longer bringing it on most paddles. When using the radio proper procedure is essential, especially switching channels and local knowledge and recommended practice as regards channel usage. Ideally it is a skill practiced and thus familiar not like paddling strokes and rescues. Adam Bolonsky once had a "course" on protocol and command usage, e.g. pon-pon. There also used to be a coastie or ex-coastie here and there that provided access to CG practice, preference, and expertise.

I am not a Greenland expert but do use a GP (as everyone should). I own a "Force 4", have no trouble with rolling, and love the boat. The cockpit is not per Greenland tradition. I know of other happy owners, including one who won an award for something she did with the boat, but alas it was not for GP rolling or skills.

Brad must have done the layup for the boat. You can run over all the rocks and frogs and cracks form but it holds together.

Al, I can't speak for Marc but the typical Cohasset/Little Harbour jaunt is a relatively short (ocean paddle as you say) trip to the mouth of LIttle Harbour where you ride the standing waves and return. A longer trip might head out to Cohasset Light and still further you can head up towards Hull. This used to be Wild Turkey territory, not sure what they are up to these days.

6:30. Arrive. 6:45. Liz. 7:00. Launch. 10lb. Adam. Lightning. Thunder. North. Ignore. Dogbar. Rollers. Hydraulics. Retreat. Brace. Bugs. Lights. Moaner. Eastern. Bioluminescence! Sparks!! Showers!!! Sprayskirtglow!!!! Niles. Three. Beach.